[Mission 2023] STATIC QUIZ, 27 February 2023 – History

Solution: b)

Mohiniyattam is essentially a solo dance performance by women in the state of Kerala. Mohiniyattam combines the grace and elegance of Bharatanatyam with the vigour of Kathakali. There is a marked absence of thumping of footsteps and the footwork is gentle.

Mohiniyattam generally narrates the story of the feminine dance of Vishnu. The Lasya aspect (beauty, grace) of dance is dominant in a Mohiniyattam recital. Hence, it is mainly performed by female dancers.

Solution: d)

In the temples of Kerala, two forms of dance-drama, Ramanattam and Krishnattam, evolved under the patronage of feudal lords, narrating episodes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. These folk drama traditions latter became the source of Kathakali. It is closely related to Koodiyattam (Sanskrit

darama tradition) and other ancient martial-arts performance also.

It involves both dance and drama and the two cannot be clearly separated.

Solution: d)

Brihadisvara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. It follows Dravidian architecture. It is called as Dhakshina Meru (Meru of south). Built by Rajaraja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD, the temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”, along with the Chola dynasty era Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple. Built out of granite, the vimana tower above the sanctum is one of the tallest in South India.

Solution: c)

Buddha taught that sometimes, even if we get what we want, we are not satisfied, and want even more (or want other things). The Buddha described this as thirst or tanha.

He taught that this constant craving could be removed by following moderation in everything.

Buddha was against the passive dying out of karma by practicing immobile asceticism. He said one cannot be liberated by this practice that involves sitting motionlessly for extended periods of time.

Solution: d)

Madhyamaka and Yogācāra are the two main philosophical trajectories associated with the Mahāyāna stream of Buddhist thought.

Madhyamaka refers to a tradition of Buddhist philosophy and practice founded by the Indian philosopher Nāgārjuna (c. 150-250 CE). The foundational text of the Mādhyamaka tradition is Nāgārjuna’s Mūlamadhyamakakārikā. Madhyamaka thought had a major influence on the subsequent development of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. It is the dominant interpretation of Buddhist philosophy in Tibetan Buddhism and has also been influential in East Asian Buddhist thought.

Yogacara is an influential tradition of Buddhist philosophy and psychology emphasizing the study of cognition, perception, and consciousness through the interior lens of meditative and yogic practices.